Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Acalypha Wilkesiana Leaves

Acalypha wilkesiana commonly known as Irish petticoat belongs to the family Euphorbiace. It was widely used in Nigeria to cure various diseases. The aim of the study is to evaluate the pharmacognostic properties of Acalypha wilkesiana, this includes, organoleptic properties, microscope evaluation, phytochemicals screening, thin layer chromatography and physicochemical properties of Acalypha wilkesiana. Various phytochemicals compound such as saponin, carbohydrates, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinone, flavonoids, tanins, steroids terpenoid where reported, due to the presence of this phytochemicals constituents the plant possess antidiabetic, antifungal, anticancer, antimalarial, antihypertensive, antioxidants, analgesic, and hepato-protective property. TLC was done for separation and identification of the several compounds. The microscopic evaluation shows the presence of stomata, epidermal cell, vein islet, tricomes, stomata number (16), stomata index (11), vein islet number (42), type of stomata (anisocytics type), tricomes; non-glandular tricomes. The physicochemical properties revealed the following; total ash value (14.7%), moisture content (83.4%), water soluble ash (4.2%), acid insoluble Ash (7.4%), water soluble extractive values (17.06%). The present research explore the pharmacognostic evaluation of Acalypha wikesiana and try to compile information that may help researchers for forward investigation.